The role of social environment in acquiring agency in Girls Work

Girls Work is a method of professional youth work that support girls in vulnerable circumstances to develop agency (Bandura, 2006). In doing this, girls mediate between who they personally want to be and what is expected of them by their social environment. Currently, youth workers do not know which social environment influence girls, and in what way. This study uses a mixed-method approach; the respondents participated in various Girls Work activities in the Netherlands. The quantitative data were gathered using questionnaires completed by 393 girls and qualitative data were collected using a creative instrument with 14 respondents. Results show that the influence of different social environments on girls' agency takes a different form for girls of different ages. These influences are discussed in full. Youth workers should be aware of the ever-changing role of specific social environments and of the (sometimes contradictory) expectations they have of girls. •The influence of different social environment is different for girls of different ages.•Youth workers are important for girls without adult support or with multiple problems.•Family and peers have the strongest influence on girls in the development of agency.•Friends have little influence on girls, possibly because of bad experiences.•Religion, culture and Dutch society have a high influence on girls with non-Western backgrounds.